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Friday, June 20, 2003
Sayson: Kidd’s grace under pressure
By Homer Sayson
Second Overtime
CHICAGO – Of his eight years in the league, last Monday’s Game 6 of the ’03 NBA Finals was the toughest joust Jason Kidd had to endure. The Nets, up by 12 late, suddenly got frigid while the Spurs whipped a blinding fourth-quarter run.
When San Antonio’s 19-0 bubble finally burst, New Jersey had the imperceptible heartbeat of a dying man. A few agonizing minutes later, Kidd and Co. flatlined, losing the chance to forge what would have been a hellish Game 7.
Had a rubber ensued, we would have talked endlessly about how the ball bounces like fickle fingers of fate. Instead, the last few days heard hoops-crazed fans murmur faintly about irrelevant what-ifs. Oh, how it hurts to be a Net. To be so near the Larry O’Brian trophy, yet far enough to grab it.
As the Spurs’ championship confetti rained at SBC Center on that night, I trained my eyes on the Nets superstar. It was painful to watch: Jason, notorious for being quicker than lightning, was moving slower than Cebu’s post-office mail. A bundle of energy in these Finals, norming 19.7 points, 6.2 rebounds and 7.8 assists in six ill-fated games, Kidd was devoid of strength, a Samson who just met the fate of Delilah’s treacherous scissors.
As he slithered his way out of the mob, Jason was waylaid by ABC/ ESPN reporter Stuart Scott and his camera crew. If Kidd, 30, had snubbed the ambush and decried the media’s insensitivity, the world would have stood behind him. But that would be uncharacteristically un-Kidd.
So, even on his Dead Sea lows, Jason spoke before the mike that was rammed in his mouth, his eyes welling like dark skies eager to precipitate. Asked if he would definitely return to New Jersey next season, he replied with typical candor: “I can’t. The door is open. I have to play my free agency out.
I would love to be a Net. But I have to look at all my options.”
OVERLOOKED. So much has been said about the humility of Tim Duncan, the generosity of David Robinson, and the promise of Tony Parker. Often lost in the shuffle is the class of Jason Kidd, an endearing quality that is overshadowed only by his multi-dimensional versatility on the basketball floor.
I was one of those who were totally unsurprised by Kidd’s grace in defeat.
In the small wee hours of June 9, deep in the belly of the Continental Airlines Arena, I caught up with Kidd while covering the Finals on-site. At that time, the scars of an 84-79 Game 3 loss were still fresh, and I thought he would snap when I approached him. He didn’t. Excluding the always-vivacious Magic Johnson, Jason turned out to be the nicest among all the NBA superstars I have ever met.
If you’re a Kidd fan and you felt like crying over your idol’s second bridesmaid finish in the NBA Finals, save the tears. He goes home to a goddess of a wife in Joumana; he has three kids (a pair of twins and the omni-present T.J.); and he has more money than Taiwan, not counting the $12 million a year for seven years San Antonio and New Jersey will be offering him this July 1.
Jason is adequately blessed, but it’s okay to root for good guys to have more of what life has to offer. I yearn for Jason to forever keep Joumana, to frolic with his little Kidds whenever he can, and to leave New Jersey, where he will never win a title.
And may Jason find truth in what Blake once said: “The road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom.”
THANKS TO MY SPONSORS. My third consecutive trip to the NBA Finals as an NBA-accredited writer wouldn’t have been possible without the support of my sponsors. I wish to thank them again:
1) Park and Go Bakeries – Owned by the Rama clan, Park and Go has sponsored all my NBA Finals trips, as well as my coverages to the Lewis-Tyson and Dela-Hoya Vargas fights last year.
To my Hollywood handsome kumpare Raul and his wife Gingging; to Alice and her affable husband Jigs; to the unbelievably versatile Dr. Gene (he can run a restaurant, cure patients and bake bread in one setting) and his wife Inday, thanks a million.
I am especially grateful to the Rama family matriarch, the deeply religious and infinitely kind
Manang Mely.
2) Limtong Press – Aside from his company’s support, Manny Limtong helped secure the sponsorships of Freddie Go-owned CFG Car Accessories and Car Service Shop and Mandaue Foam Industries Inc. To Manny and his wife Gigi of PAL Jones, thanks for going over and beyond the call of friendship.
My gratitude also goes to Jerry Uy of Cebu Isuzu Parts Supply Inc., my dear friend and many-time sponsor Tony Aldeguer of USA Sports, Corporate Communications manager (Vismin) Girlie Garces of San Miguel Beer, and Dickson Lim of Sinners and Saints Resto Bar.
P.S. Readers’ email tomorrow.
(Questions are welcome at homsay@hotmail.com)
(June 20, 2003 issue)
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